‘Cassava is my raw material for sculpture’
James Shuiabu trained as a sculptor and ceramist at the Kogi State Polytechnic and now specializes in using cassava as raw material for his art works. He is one of the participants at the on-going African Arts & Crafts Expo (AFAC) where cornered him for a
DJames Shuiabu: It’s an innovation which I started less than five years ago. I am introducing a raw material which is known as food in the country. We made art works such as beads and craft works using cassava. If you look around, most of the art works you see are made from cassava.
Shuiabu: As an artist, we research and every day we try to bring new ideas into the industry. Daily Trust Using cassava powder is unique because no artist in this country has tried to use it. When we tried it we saw the outcome and were encouraged to continue.
Shuiabu: Cassava is everywhere in this country. We also get it from farmers and market at cheaper rates. I also plant cassava on my farm. I harvest, dry and grind it into powder.
Shuiabu: No, you have to peel it and then make it in form of powder like is used for ‘amala’ and then dry it. The starch extract from the raw cassava is fermented and used as a binder for the paste.
Shuiabu: If you want it in colour you can use poster colour. Any colour you want to use, you just add a little and mould what you want.
Shuiabu: People are always excited when they see the product. There is no stress in it and the paste responds the way you mould it. It is more usable than cement and clay and is friendly to the hands. It does not have any effect. It can even be eaten.
Shuiabu: The art works from it are water proof. We don’t fire them. After production, even if we don’t use anything in the form of protection, it dries up and dries as hard as rock. In some cases we use lacquer vanish to further treat it and give it a glossy look.
Shuiabu: No, they aren’t finished yet. We are still embellishing them and will treat them afterwards. Shuiabu: They all sell very fast. The works are very interesting in the eyes of public because we see the reactions of people over the works and they also patronize us. We have exhibited at various expos in Nigeria and the reaction has also been motivating.
Shuiabu: It is relative. But what I can say is that as a trained sculptor, using cassava as raw material is by far cheaper than other art materials. The cost of production is very minimal compared to cement, fibre glass and even wood. That is why I can say that what we are doing is a form of research which isn’t fixed and goes along with the art itself. It is impossible to do art without research.